2020-04-01 Real Simple

KEEP CAT AND DOG FUR FROM DRIVING YOU CRAZY.

By Juno DeMelo

Fuzz Busters

MECHANICAL HELPER

Attach this motorized

brush bar to your Dyson

vacuum to suck up piles

of fluff from your sofa.

TO BUY: Mini Motorhead,

$50; dyson.com.

HAIR CATCHERS

In the dryer, these act like

magnets for pet fur.

Plus, they can cut down

on drying time.

TO BUY: Smart Sheep

Wool Dryer Balls, $17

for 6; amazon.com.

PREVENTIVE DEVICE

This deshedder for dogs

and cats removes

loose undercoat hair,

then releases it easily

with an eject button.

TO BUY: Furminator

deShedding Edge Brush,

from $35; chewy.com.

Clean It Up

A powerful vacuum that can

suction up embedded pet

hair is key for tackling soft

surfaces, like rugs and uphol-

stered furniture. Use the

brush attachment for stub-

born patches. In a pinch, make

short strokes with a damp

rubber shower squeegee.

Wipe down hard surfaces

with a moistened microfiber

cloth, and run a lint roller over

clothing. Before you wash

clothes or slipcovers, give

them one good, strong shake.

Repeat before transferring to

the dryer. Throw in a dryer ball

to help hustle any remaining

strands into the lint trap.

Camouflage It

To minimize the appearance

of hair, choose rugs with a

busy pattern or in a color

that’s similar to your pet’s.

Vacuuming removes hair

more readily from flat-weave

rugs (like dhurries and sisal

rugs) than from high-pile or

certain looped rugs. Smooth,

flat upholstery materials, like

leather and microfiber, are

also easier to keep fur-free.

Avoid sofas with skirts, which

attract strands, as pets often

rest or rub against furniture.

If you allow your pets on the

couch (no judgment), cover

it with a washable throw to

simplify cleanup.

Control It

The best way to prevent hairy

messes is to brush your pet

regularly—once a week or

even once a day, depending

on the length and thickness of

your pet’s fur. Breeds with a

dense undercoat, like corgis

and huskies, can benefit from

a deshedding tool, like the

Furminator brush at right.

Most cats groom themselves

but could still use a little help

from their humans. Comb

short-haired cats once or

twice a week; aim for a bit

more often with long-haired

breeds.

The Tools

OUR EXPERTS

MELISSA MAKER, FOUNDER OF CLEAN MY SPACE

JULIA MILLER, DVM, ASSISTANT CLINICAL PROFESSOR OF DERMATOLOGY AT

THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

LAURA OGLETHORPE, FOUNDER OF THE STATED HOME

Pet Tricks

GETTY IM

AGES; PRODUCT IM

AGES COURTESY OF M

ANUFACTURERS

78 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2020

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0420PET.V2.indd 78 FINAL 2/24/20 10:34 AM